Intensive Outpatient Program

Through the generosity of Wounded Warrior Project® all treatment, travel, lodging and meals are provided at no cost to IOP participants and support people.

Reclaim your life. The Intensive Outpatient Program is an integrative, three-week treatment program that provides evidence-based, individualized care to veterans with PTSD.

As a member of Warrior Care Network™ (WCN), the Road Home Program at Rush has assembled a team of nationally recognized experts trained in military culture and skilled in the evaluation and treatment of trauma-based disorders and injury.

The Intensive Outpatient Program begins with an individualized treatment plan. We target the driving factors behind the veteran’s specific experiences that caused physical, mental and emotional injury through group and individual psychotherapy and novel approaches to stress reduction, including physical fitness, wellness and mindfulness.

To date, we have treated over 2100 veterans in the IOP. While treatment is never a one-size-fits-all approach, more than half of the veterans who graduated from the IOP saw rapid and meaningful changes in PTSD and depression symptoms.

Art is a recent graduate of the Intensive Outpatient Program at Road Home. We thank him and CBS Chicago for creating this powerful PSA.

“It didn’t feel like I was home. I felt like a part of me was still in Iraq. I wasn’t really there for my family. I was somewhere else. Now I’m fantastic. The Road Home Program, it’s changed me forever. My family life has been amazing.”

Frequently Asked Questions About The Intensive Outpatient Program

This Intensive Outpatient Program is open to all veterans of any era who are struggling with the invisible wounds of PTSD, MST, TBI, and other conditions affecting veterans. Services are offered regardless of their ability to pay.

The length of the program is three weeks. Veterans will attend a daily intensive treatment program five days per week, Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. There will also be an opportunity for weekend activities such as sporting events, group dinners and networking with local veterans’ groups.

The IOP accepts referrals from a wide variety of sources including Wounded Warrior Project ®, VA clinicians and community mental health professionals. Veterans are welcome to self-refer by applying here.

Prior to admission to the IOP, the veteran will be screened by one of our staff within three weeks of their initial contact with our program.

During our screening process, an intake clinician will work with the veteran to determine if the IOP is a good fit for his or her current treatment preferences and needs. A diagnosis of PTSD and clinical appropriateness will need to be confirmed through the intake process before the veteran can become eligible.

Family members are an important part of the healing process. Our program will pick up the travel and lodging expenses of one family member or significant other. Activities and programs will be available.

“I struggled after returning from my last deployment to Iraq.
I did not understand what was happening to me or why I could not
control it. That started my battle with PTSD. In desperation to repair
and save my relationships, I started to look for answers
and attended the Road Home Program…twice!

The second time around, I stayed. I had an open mind and put in
the hard work. Because of it I was successful in dealing with my PTSD
and depression. Now I have a relationship with my wife and kids again,
I am actually working again and determined to help other veterans
get back on their feet and do the same.”